Chapter 34

Three days passed, and the news that Robert was in the hospital was leaked. It only took a minute, and FROZEN's board members were in an uproar. Everyone was already in discussion of taking over the position, except for one man.

Inside Snow Café, Evangeline eyed the man in front of him. He had that kind of face that stopped everyone in their tracks. Men and women alike. He told of a lean body beneath his suit, and his expression was serious but not unkind. There was a powerful energy to him. But he seemed warm and kind at the same time. He radiated nothing but grace that had her enthralled.

He was mesmerizing in every way!

Mike Lantis.

She didn't know that he was this good looking that it racked her mind.

But oddly . . . he reminded her of Eric. An older Eric.

Without knowing, Evangeline looked at Eric beside her, who was all poker face. Her mouth opened, "Is he your bro––"

"Let's get down to business, Miss Heart," Mike interrupted, "you called because you have something urgent to tell me?"

It was probably Evangeline's imagination, but he heard a light thud under the table, and Mike's brows slightly twitched. And it was probably her imagination when Mike's eyes ever so slightly snatched a look at Eric.

Evangeline caught and composed herself. "Yes. I called you because I would like to make a proposal." As she said so, Evangeline handed a folder to him.

Mike skimmed through the file for a moment. His eyes were fast going up and down, and he seemed to be reading just the important stuff. From his gestures, everyone knew that he was accustomed to reading large piles of papers.

After a moment, Mike closed the folder and leaned on his chair, fingers crossing on top of the table. "Miss Heart, this is a rather bold proposal. You are giving me your shares in exchange for me to take over Frozen until your brother is right of age? Why not do it yourself?"

He was direct and straight to the point. Evangeline liked it that way. But right now, she wished that he would beat around the bush so she could have time to gather her thoughts.

"Mr. Lantis. Though I own a large portion of the shares, I don't know a thing about business. I think this proposal would greatly benefit us. You, precisely. If my shares are not enough for your compensation, then––"

Mike raised his hand, stopping her. "What I'm trying to say is . . . are you really okay for me to handle your company? A stranger that you just met?"

The look in his eyes was intense, and if Evangeline wasn't careful she would lose herself. This man is dangerous. Is he capable of hypnotizing?

Another thud under the table woke Evangeline from her thoughts. She snatched a look at Eric, who was still poker face. Then her eyes went to Mike, who was also poker face, but the corner of his eyes were ever so slightly twitching.

When Eric notice that she was looking, he looked her way and smiled. So innocent.

Evangeline almost rolled her eyes. "I'm aware that I don't know you, but right now, I have no choice but to trust the people who knew Frozen more than I do. It's embarrassing to say considering that I am one of the biggest shareholders of the company, and yet I don't know how to run it."

Mike leaned a little closer. "I understand your problem. But I'm afraid that I can't––"

Mike paused when there was another thud under the table. He briefly looked at Eric and changed his words at Eric's piercing eyes. Ah . . . so cute . . .

Mike coughed between his fist, pretending to clear his throat. "What I meant to say is . . ."

He looked at Evangeline in the eyes and smiled for the first time. "I'll take the job."

----

Chapter 35

In Burberry Hospital

It was already a week since Sisley was hospitalized, but Daniel felt like it was an eternity. Looking at the girl he used to like, staring at him with dead sunken eyes, it was akin to being burnt alive.

Daniel averted his gaze and wet his lips.  He was finally given a chance to talk to her for the first time since her confinement at her request. He should take the opportunity.

"I heard you can leave the hospital. We should celebrate. Do you have something in mind that we should do? Or do you want to take a vacation? Outside the country, perhaps?" Talking to her was hard. Especially that she knew he was avoiding the whole accident of her suicide. Pretending that nothing was wrong and they were just back to normal.

Sisley didn't speak. She looked at Daniel for a moment before her eyes steadied on the window beside her bed. Outside was a clear day. She bet it was hot, and everyone was enjoying the summer.

"You were like a dream . . . ," she finally said, voice barely above a whisper.

Daniel's brows furrowed. "Dream?"

Sisley met his gaze, and her chapped lips moved in a light smile. "You are like someone from a dream . . . You had me living in a fantasy. You filled my world with colors, and every day was just pure . . . bliss."

Sisley paused. Her eyes shook as she looked at Daniel. Her gaze then dropped at her intertwined hands as she huffed a weak laugh. "But then . . . I woke up from that dream . . ."

She closed her eyes tight, and a dropped of water fell to her cheeks. "When I woke up, I saw my mother on her knees, hugging and begging me for something. I saw my stern father and brother's tears gushing out from their eyes for the first time. I saw my friends hugged each other in tears, and the usually proud Jen was weeping so loudly. . ."

Sisley sniffed and swallowed the big lump in her throat. She looked at Daniel with a blazing gaze.

"I realized . . . even if you don't need me. Even if you don't love me . . . there are still a bunch of people who does . . . I thought that there is no greater pain than you leaving me. But I was wrong . . . My mother on her knees. My father and brothers tears . . ."

Sisley blinked and sniffled. "The pain was so raw. It touched my soul. The one that you can never hurt. So thank you . . . thank you for breaking me. Now I have a strong, strong heart."

Daniel was confused, but the water in his eyes was increasing. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Sisley wiped her tears and smiled beyond the blurs. "I'll be moving away. Out of this country and start anew . . ."

She paused and looked outside the window and whispered, "You are free . . ."

". . ."

". . ."

Daniel couldn't move nor speak. He just looked at her, but she never turned his way. What else could he say? No words could heal her. No words could make her feel better. No actions coming from him would do her any good.

She was right . . . It was best that they were free from each other. Away from each other.

Daniel got up and walked towards the door. He stopped and turned around, but Sisley was still looking outside the window.

For a moment, a memory crossed his mind. Under the trees, in a secret place inside the school garden, there stood a girl with a jolly smile that dimpled her cheeks, and a tear slid to his cheek.

He opened the door and left, uttering his final goodbye.

"I wish you all the best."